Billy Joel hospitalised

The singer checked himself into the undisclosed New York medical centre and is now undergoing a series of tests.

His publicist, Claire Mercuri, said: "After experiencing severe gastric pains, Billy Joel has been admitted to a local New York hospital for tests."

She also added that Joel "is expected to be released later this week."

Last year, Joel, 54, - who recently wed for the third time after tying the knot with 26-year-old student Katie Lee - crashed his car into the home of a 94-year-old lady - but refused hospital treatment on a cut finger.

The 'Piano Man' drove his 1967 Citroen into the house in Long Island at around 4pm as he was returning home from a pizza restaurant.

The accident was Joel's third in two years.

In January 2003 he smashed his Mercedes-Benz into a tree but was not hurt seriously.

After a June 2002 car accident Joel checked himself into rehab to get treatment for his alcohol addiction.